Travelers to Europe Will Need to Pay a 7-euro Charge to Enter EU

Photo source: European Commission.

Travelers from the US and other countries including the UK and Australia, currently allowed to enter Europe visa-free, will as of 2024 have to pay a 7-euro (7.68 US dollars) fee to enter as part of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

Under ETIAS, travelers planning a trip to 30 European countries – Greece included – for stays of up to 90 days will have to first register online providing personal and passport details, answer a set of questions, and pay a 7-euro fee. Children under 18 and seniors over 70 are exempt.

Once your ETIAS application is approved, you’ll receive a notification. There will be no need to print a copy of the travel permit since ETIAS authorization is linked directly to your passport or travel document.

Photo source: EU Home Affairs.

The ETIAS travel permit, which applies for a period of three years once approved and can be reused, is mandatory for travelers wishing to visit more than 60 countries in Europe and in the Schengen Area.

The ETIAS traveler authorization system is aimed at enhancing tracking of those entering and leaving EU countries amid increasing concerns around terrorism and irregular immigration.

Meanwhile, the launch of the EES travel authorization system, the EU’s new smart border system for non-EU nationals, has been pushed back to the end of the year.